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Urinary incontinence (UI), or the unintentional loss of urine, is a problem for more than 13 million Americans—85 percent of them women. Although about half of the elderly have episodes of incontinence, bladder problems are not a natural consequence of aging, and they are not exclusively a problem of the elderly.

Incontinence has several causes. Women are most likely to develop incontinence either during pregnancy and childbirth, or after the hormonal changes of menopause, because of weakened pelvic muscles. Older men can become incontinent as the result of prostate surgery. Pelvic trauma, spinal cord damage, caffeine, or medications including cold or over-the-counter diet tablets also can cause episodes of incontinence.

But even though urinary incontinence can be improved in 8 out of 10 cases, fewer than half of those with bladder problems ever discuss the condition with their health care professional. The condition often goes untreated.

No significant benefit differences between IMRT and CRT therapies after prostatectomy

Use of the newer, more expensive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and use of the older conformal radiotherapy (CRT) after surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland were associated with similar morbidity and cancer control outcomes, according to a study published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication. [More]

UCLA study: Older men with multiple underlying health problems should avoid prostate cancer treatment

Older prostate cancer patients with other underlying health conditions should think twice before committing to surgery or radiation therapy for their cancer, according to a multicenter study led by researchers in the UCLA Department of Urology. [More]

Long-term success rates of surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse are lower than expected

Research conducted by the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health, has revealed that the long-term success rates of a surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse are lower than expected. Nearly one-third of women develop anatomic or symptomatic treatment failure within five years of undergoing sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of JAMA. [More]
Abdominal sacrocolpopexy procedure effectively provides relief from POP symptoms

Abdominal sacrocolpopexy procedure effectively provides relief from POP symptoms

Results after seven years of follow-up suggest that women considering abdominal sacrocolpopexy (surgery for pelvic organ prolapse [POP]) should be counseled that this procedure effectively provides relief from POP symptoms; however, the anatomic support deteriorates over time; and that adding an anti-incontinence procedure decreases, but does not eliminate the risk of stress urinary incontinence, and mesh erosion can be a problem, according to a study in the May 15 issue of JAMA. [More]

Study evaluates durability of abdominal sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse

The initial success rates of the most durable surgery for a common condition in women declines over the long-term, according to data published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. [More]

Uroplasty highlights results of STEP Study on PTNS treatments for overactive bladder

Uroplasty, Inc., a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products for the treatment of voiding dysfunctions, today highlighted the 3-year results of the STEP Study on percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation treatments for overactive bladder using Uroplasty's Urgent PC Neuromodulation System. [More]

Nano-Tera provides funds for research and development of artificial sphincter

The lack of control over one's own bowel movements can severely affect an individual's quality of life. Researchers at the University of Basel want to develop an adaptive implant that would be able to contract and relax like a natural muscle. [More]
American Cancer Society announces new research, training grants for fiscal year 2013

American Cancer Society announces new research, training grants for fiscal year 2013

The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has awarded 175 national research and training grants totaling $79,073,250 for fiscal year 2013. [More]

First patient dosed in second Phase 2 study with LiRIS for treatment of Interstitial Cystitis

TARIS Biomedical, a specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted therapies to treat bladder diseases with high unmet medical need, announced today that it has dosed the first patient in its second Phase 2 clinical study with LiRIS, its novel product candidate, in patients with Interstitial Cystitis. [More]

Loyola researchers to evaluate impact of urinary incontinence on couple's relationship, sex life

A clinical trial is under way at Loyola University Health System to evaluate the impact of urge urinary incontinence on a couple's relationship and sex life. [More]
New way to predict woman’s final menstrual period

New way to predict woman’s final menstrual period

A new UCLA-led study suggests a way to predict when a woman will have her final menstrual period. The findings, published in the April issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, could help women and physicians gauge the onset of menopause-related bone loss, which generally begins a year prior to the last period. [More]

Exercise during pregnancy can reduce rate of cesarean deliveries in healthy pregnant women

Researchers at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid have found that regular and supervised exercise by experts during pregnancy can reduce the rate of instrumental and cesarean deliveries in healthy pregnant women. [More]
Adjustable shunt effectively alleviates hydrocephalus pressure

Adjustable shunt effectively alleviates hydrocephalus pressure

Using a shunt with an adjustable Strata valve that is initially set at the highest setting so it can be titrated down is a worthwhile approach to treat idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. [More]

Study compares continence outcomes of women undergoing their repeat midurethral sling surgery

A new study by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers published in the February 2013 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who have unsuccessful midurethral sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence and then undergo a second midurethral sling surgery see more quality-of-life symptom improvement than women who undergo only a first procedure. [More]

Study finds serious long-term side effects following prostate cancer treatments

A new study comparing outcomes among prostate cancer patients treated with surgery versus radiotherapy found differences in urinary, bowel and sexual function after short-term follow-up, but those differences were no longer significant 15 years after initial treatment. [More]
Women more likely to experience urinary and faecal incontinence, prolapse after vaginal delivery

Women more likely to experience urinary and faecal incontinence, prolapse after vaginal delivery

Women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence, prolapse and faecal incontinence 20 years after one vaginal delivery rather than one caesarean section, finds new research published in a thesis from Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. [More]
Pelvic floor exercises after RP ‘sufficient’

Pelvic floor exercises after RP ‘sufficient’

Performing pelvic floor muscle training both before and after radical prostatectomy is no more effective at reducing postoperative urinary incontinence than performing the exercises after surgery, report researchers. [More]

Urinary incontinence risk tool helps guide radical prostatectomy patients

Researchers have developed a multivariable risk classification tool for estimating patients’ risk for urinary incontinence after undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. [More]

Merck receives FDA approval for Oxytrol to treat overactive bladder in women

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Oxytrol for Women, the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years and older. [More]
Sacral nerve stimulation helps manage children with chronic incontinence

Sacral nerve stimulation helps manage children with chronic incontinence

Incontinence is typically a condition associated with adults; however, many children also struggle with incontinence - bladder, bowel or both. In order to help these children, doctors at Nationwide Children's Hospital have turned to a device, typically used in adult patients, to help manage children with chronic incontinence. [More]